Working on it: People

We are a different person for different people.

Let me give you an example. I am not the same person for my children as I am for my boss. Nor am I the same for a co-worker as I am for my Grandmother. My Children are adults now and while I like to believe that my opinion still matters to them, I know that my boss is only interested in my opinion when he asks for it. The type of encouragement that I give a co-worker is not the same kind that I would give my 90 year old Grandmother.
I saw a little bit of this today. I heard an angel sing goodbye to a friend. Pretty sure that the "angel" comment will not sit well with him. There were a few that knew of this talent, but most of us didn't. Thank you for sharing your talent today Sir. You helped so many say good bye to a great man. I, for one, will not point out to the next "bad guy" that you arrest that you are actually an ANGEL. That would not be nice of me. I am trying to improve myself. It ain't easy.

The very same thing can be seen and heard by a group of people and they will react to it differently.

Some will like it and will be moved to tears. Others can hardly wait for it to end. Today's bagpipes for example. I love them. I appreciate that nothing else sounds like them. Listening to Amazing Grace played on the pipes WILL bring a tear to my eye. I had someone else that was there tell me they were not impressed. Their comment was "How do you tell when they mess up?". They felt relief when the pipes fell silent.
Another example is the public reaction to the long funeral procession. Some had pulled over and were simply waiting. Some were not pleased and pulled out in the middle of the line of cars that were following their loved one to his graveside. Some stopped what they were doing, stood respectfully, holding hats over their hearts and waiting until every car had passed. It is times like this that I hope that Karma is true. I hope that each person that stopped and showed respect will get it returned a HUNDRED fold.

How we perceive a person is not the full person. It can be so one sided.  So many feel that if a person has a bad quality then they must be bad because of it. If they do not dress the same as us, look the same as us or believe the same as us then they are not worthy.
I want to believe that each person has worth. That a person does not have to be perfect to be loved.  I want to feel if I fall short that I will be forgiven or at least given another chance.
When my friends and family stand at my graveside I want them to remember me with fondness. I want them to say nice things about me. I want them to know my heart.  I saw this happen today. I saw a friend's FB post earlier today that said the biggest act of faith is to trust someone with your heart. To trust that they will not break it.
Today I saw a large group of people gather to say goodbye to a fellow Officer, a Husband, a Father, a Son, a Brother, a Friend. Some came to honor him even though they did not know him. They came to show honor for the badge he wore and the pledge he took to protect.
He was loved. He was not perfect but you could tell he tried. I know there were times when he felt that he fell short. He had a good heart that made an impression on so many.

Here is some of the Tribute.